Wildcats get volleyball win over rival Fort Frye in 4 sets

Ron Johnston

Sports Writer

rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

Waterford’s Allex Teters (6) attempts to spike the ball as Fort Frye’s Kasey Buchanan goes up for the block during a high school volleyball match Wednesday at the Harry Cooper Annex inside Waterford Elementary. Waterford won in four sets.
RON
JOHNSTON The Marietta Times

WATERFORD — Dink you very much.

After being swept by Fort Frye earlier this season, Waterford exacted some measure of revenge with a 25-19, 19-25, 25-7, and 26-24 triumph over its arch-rival in prep volleyball action at the Cooper Annex on Volley for a Cure Wednesday night.

“We didn’t show up the first time we played them in their gym,” said Wildcats coach Kim Barker. “And, I think it came down to who wanted it more tonight.”

Waterford improved its record to 16-5 overall (14-1 in the Tri-Valley Conference-Hocking Division), while Fort fell to 16-3 (7-0 in the Pioneer Valley Conference).

“We’ve had better nights,” said FFHS boss Tiffany Smith. “It’s frustrating, because the girls’ focus and intensity were lacking.

“I know what they can do, and what their potential is. I mean, we played last night (Tuesday) and beat a real good team (Magnolia) in the OVAC semis.”

Waterford was led by outside hitter Allex Teters, who had 12 kills, 28 digs, two blocks, and one ace.

“Allex has been our go-to player this season,” Barker said. “She’s one of our key players.”

While the dink is not a power swing at the net, Teters and her teammates used it very effectively against the Cadets.

“We had a pretty smart mentality tonight,” Barker said. “We found the holes on the court and got a couple of key tips, which got us points.”

Denise Young finished with 10 kills, nine digs, and two blocks. Ana-Sophia Beardsley chipped in with four kills, four aces, and three blocks.

Fort Frye was led by senior middle hitter Kasey Buchanan, who had 18 kills and six blocks. Jade Baker chipped in with 16 kills and eight digs, while Karlee Ross finished with 10 kills.

Setter Stephanie Camden had a match-high 37 assists, while Maddie Webb was credited with a team-high 10 digs and three aces.

“Fort Frye is a heckuva team,” Barker said. “They’re an aggressive team with phenomenal hitters.”

But, Waterford was competitive from the outset, and won the first set by six points. In the second game, Fort bounced back, thanks to the setting of Camden and the hitting of Buchanan, Baker, and Ross, and won by six.

Sparked by the setting of Taylor and hitting/dinking of Teters, Young, and Beardsley, the Wildcats dominated the third set and cruised to an 18-point victory.

In the fourth set, it was nip-and-tuck from start to finish with several ties. Waterford was down 24-23 but rallied to tie it on a Young dink. With Klintworth serving, the Cats scored the next two points to clinch the set and match victory.

“I told the girls that this was going to be a tough week, and we could go 3-0 or 0-3,” Barker said. “It was up to them. Well, we’re 2-0 now (with wins against Federal Hocking and Fort Frye, respectively).”

The Wildcats are scheduled to host Eastern on Senior Night at 6 p.m. this evening. Fort Frye is slated to play Saturday in the OVAC Championship match.